00:00Convicted billionaire Ong Beng Seng escaped jail time in Singapore despite pleading guilty
00:05to one charge of abetting former Singapore Transport Minister as East Warren to obstruct
00:10the course of justice.
00:12The 79-year-old Malaysian tycoon, who gained international fame for bringing Formula One
00:16racing to Singapore, was granted the reprieve by a district judge at a sentencing hearing
00:21this afternoon.
00:23Prosecutor Sit Ong in 2023 helped to bill East Warren for a $5,700 Singaporean business
00:29class ticket while authorities were investigating East Warren's charges.
00:34The ex-politician was jailed last year after obtaining gifts that included tickets to Singapore's
00:38Grand Prix, a luxury hotel stay, and other valuable items while in public office.
00:44The judge said Ong will be fined $30,000 Singaporean dollars, citing his dire medical condition,
00:49though he could have also been imprisoned for up to seven years under Singapore's penal
00:53code.
00:54Prosecutors had earlier sought eight weeks jail for him, but his defense had asked for a
00:58fine instead based on his medical condition, which include advanced multiple myeloma and
01:03incurable cancer that has compromised his immune system.
01:08Narmatha Raja, FMT.
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